COLLEGE GARDENS CIVIC ASSOCIATION
FALL MEETING MINUTES
November 5, 2025
A hybrid meeting with 50 people attending in-person and 15 participating virtually.
The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. by the College Gardens Civic Association (CGCA) President Jennifer Weiland (JW).
Introduction and Proposed Meeting Agenda (JW):
Agenda:
- Welcome – JW
- Treasurer Report – JW
- Police Report – Rockville Police Lt. Andy Taglienti
- City Updates from Rockville City Mayor, Council members and introduction of new Community Engagement Manager Cherrelle Ali
- College Gardens Elementary School Rezoning Update – Becca Silverman
- CGCA Executive Officer Elections – JW
- Summaries of submitted updates – JW
– Woodley Gardens Pool
– Don’t Widen 270
– Rockville Connects Villages
– Garden Club
– Gude Drive Entrance to Rockville Senior Center
Treasurer Report, JW:
- The most recent bank account statement balance is $5,234.44
Police Report, City of Rockville, Police Lieutenant Andy Taglienti (AT):
- AT has been newly assigned to serve as the City police department’s CGCA liaison. AT explained that he had been a Rockville police officer for 20 years and served as the Midnight Watch Commander.
- AT reported that since May 14, 2025, crimes in the College Gardens and Woodley Gardens communities were crimes of opportunity. The crime volume and type remained similar to the prior six months. From May to November there were nine crime incidents, and from the prior November to May period there were eight incidents. Once again, most crimes involved financial fraud, phishing, identity theft, or crimes of opportunity.
- Five thefts included: a stolen bicycle; a victim whose property was stolen from a rideshare vehicle; tools being stolen from a locked car that had its window smashed; a car license plate being stolen; and a car being stolen but recovered and an arrest made.
- Three frauds included: Two incidents where victims opened and responded to emails they thought were from businesses that they had relationships with and allowed the perpetrators to transfer money from their bank accounts to bitcoin accounts; and the third incident was a case of identity theft whereby stolen personal information was used to unsuccessfully try to cash a check.
- The one assault case occurred when the perpertrator was stopped by Rockville Police during a traffic violation and attacked the Police Officer that stopped the vehicle. The driver was arrested on multiple charges and had several outstanding warrants.
- AT reported that a shooting had been reported but that it had not been clear where the shooting had occurred, but that the shooter was arrested on Yale Place.
- A meeting participant asked AT if he knew of cases where a car’s vehicle identification number (VIN) was photographed and this leading to fraud of some sort. AT responded that he was unaware of such incidents leading to any crime, nor did he think VIN photographing would because a vehicle VIN was such a limited piece of geographic and not personal information.
- A meeting participant asked AT if reported incidents of concern at the Rockville Metro station had increased. AT replied that the reports had remained the same, and that the reports about concerns were usually about evening occurrences and not daytime incidents.
- AT emphasized that the Rockville Police encouraged everyone to report incidents of concern, and that incident reporting was a key part of helping the police keep our community safe.
City of Rockville Update, Mayor Monique Ashton, Council Members Adam Van Grack, Barry Jackson, and Marissa Valeri, and new Community Engagement Manager Cherrelle Ali:
- Community Engagement Manager Cherrelle Ali explained that she was the liaison to contact for City help. Ms. Ali also said that she would sometimes contact the CGCA and community for input on City Council and City services. She emphasized that our community’s contributing on the ongoing Food Drive for Seniors (drop of food at the Sr. Center M-F 8:30am-5pm, Sat 9am-3pm… contact Tel: 240-314-8800 and/or email seniorcenter@rockvillemd.gov for more information), providing input on the City budget process, and reading/using the Rockville Report were important.
- The presenters recommended that we send personalized letters to the Montgomery County Board of Education (BOE) regarding concerns about school zoning changes, to the Rockville City Council (RCC) concerning funding improvements that could help our neighborhood and to participate in person at BOE, RCC and similar meetings for the biggest impact on ongoing policy and budgeting decisions.
- Council Member Jackson wanted meeting participants to know that the Rockville Police Department was not facing staffing shortages, unlike the Montgomery County Police Department which is.
- The Mayor and other participants explained how the Rockville government was responding to the impacts of the Federal Budget process and Federal worker layoffs by giving greater support services to non-unemployed Federal workers. Examples are providing half-off on Rockville Recreation service memberships for recently let go Federal workers; giving food to SNAP beneficiaries at the Rockville Farmers Market; and partnering even more with Not For Profit Organizations (NFPO) in Montgomery County and holding NFPO coordination meetings.
- The Rockville bond rating remains very strong at AAA.
- The Mayor and other presenters pointed out that coordination with businesses continued to bring more economic development and lower housing and rental costs to the Rockville Town Center (e.g. Rockville Town Center Master Plan) and areas like College Plaza. The City is still working on its Zoning Ordinance Rewrite to correspond to the 2040 Comprehensive Master Plan that was enacted in 2021. See https://www.rockvillemd.gov/2521/Zoning-Ordinance-Rewrite for more details.
- The City Council adopted the Town Center Master Plan revision. See https://www.rockvillemd.gov/2309/Rockville-Town-Center-Master-Plan-Update for more details. The latest project updates will continue to be posted on Engage Rockville at https://engagerockville.com/towncenter .
- Bringing more foot traffic back to the City Town Center, which will then in turn bring more business back to the Town Center, has been and will continue to be supported by actions such as bringing the Home Town Holidays celebration back to the Town Center. Another example is how a Trader Joes grocery store was opened in the Town Center.
- Questions were asked by meeting attendees about support services for the 1000+ Federal employees living in the Rockville area who lost their jobs – Mobilize-Montgomery and Work-Source Montgomery and the State have websites. City Housing and Community Support Services are an additional resource to help; for example such individuals can receive a reduced recreation fee rate. The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is a support phone helpline for people experiencing mental health or substance use emergencies.
- A Non-profit organizations in Rockville Summit was held. And these nonprofits have a big need for donations.
- Participants acknowledged and thanked the attending City officials for the significant City representation at the meeting.
College Gardens Elementary School Rezoning Update, Becca Silverman:
- A new high school, Crown High, is being built near Rio. This is to address overcrowding in several clusters including our own Richrd Montgomery (RM) Cluster.
- In the summer there were 4 draft proposals that were released that would adjust school boundaries in order to relieve the overcrowding. Two of them would have fed College Gardens Elementary School (CGES) students to Gaithersburg Middle School rather than the current Julius West (JW) Middle School, then back to RM. The CGES PTA and parents launched an effective advocacy against the 2 proposals that would have sent CGES students to Gaithersburg Middle School. Two of the big points included (1) the awkwardness of shifting students from one cluster to another then back to the original cluster, and (2) the interruption in the CGES International Baccalaureate (IB) articulation.
- Explaining the IB situation. CGES is the only MCPS elementary school that is in the IB program. Every student in CGES is in IB. This is the Early Years Program. Every student in Julius West Middle School is in the Middle Years program, another IB level. In RM, every student is in the IB program the first 2 years, and then it is competitive to be in IB the last 2 years. Therefore, CGES students are the only MCPS elementary school students, who can progress through the IB program from Kindergarten through 12th grade. An articulation through Gaithersburg Middle School would destroy that articulation.
- This is a huge attraction for CGES, a huge benefit to these students, and this has the added benefit of helping to maintain our property values as well as continuing a strong school presence here.
- On October 13, MCPS released 4 new proposals. These totally replaced the original 4 proposals. In all the current 4 proposals, CGES continues to articulate through JW then RM. This is a huge win for CGES. However, the situation is fluid. In any kind of redistricting of school boundaries, there are always upset people. The Board of Education (BOE) can either accept one of the current 4 proposals, accept one of them with modifications, or make up something totally different.
- Therefore, it is important that the CGES PTA, CGES parents, and the College Gardens neighborhood advocate to the BOE to keep CGES students in the CGES – JW – RM articulation.
- The MCPS superintendent Dr. Taylor, put forth a fifth proposal to use the new Crown High as an overflow school for an unspecified number of years and put all boundary changes on hold until the completion of renovations for Damascus, Magruder, and Wootton High Schools. The Board of Education’s approved this proposal as an official fifth proposal to be considered.
- A contributing factor is that MCPS enrollment has declined and is projected to decline further.
- The College Gardens neighborhood is encouraged to complete the Crown/Damascus Boundary Study Survey – Fall 2025 Fall 2025 Crown/Damascus Boundary Study Survey before it closes on December 2. MCPS will synthesize community responses and refine the options into the Superintendent’s one final recommendation to the Board of Education, to be presented on February 5, 2026. From February to March the BOE will hold work sessions and public hearings and on March 26 the BOE will take final action on the Superintendent’s recommendation. Points to make in your own words:
- Thank the BOE for, so far, keeping CGES in the CGES – JW – RM articulation.
- Encourage the BOE to keep CGES in the CGES – JW – RM articulation.
- Emphasize that (1) it would be extremely awkward for CGES students to leave the RM cluster for middle school then rejoin the RM cluster.
- Emphasize (2) that CGES students are IB students, and that it is necessary for them to continue in the IB program through middle school by going to JW Middle School and onto RM’s IB program.
- There will be many other communities that will advocate for further change to the current proposals, therefore, it is necessary for the CGES community (including the College Gardens neighborhood) to continue to advocate.
CGCA Executive Committee Election, JW:
- Four new CGCA Executive Committee Officers were unanimously elected.
- President – Mark Pierzchala
- Vice President – Caleb Browning
- Secretary – Tobey Trumbull
- Treasurer – Karen Carp
Woodley Gardens Pool, Catherine Gray (submitted notes):
Current Situation
The Woodley Gardens Community Swim and Recreation Association (WGCSRA) Board
presented a critical update about the pool’s future. Georgetown Hill Early School (GHES), the property owner, must begin construction on their new daycare facility by December 2025 to meet a late August 2026 opening date. The property will be subdivided into two plats: Plat A (daycare) and Plat B (pool).
Proposed Agreement
Subject to lender and legal review and comment, and negotiation with GHES.
During Construction Period (12-18 months):
● GHES will lease the pool to WGCSRA for $1 per year
● This secures pool use during summer 2026 and beyond
● Establishes legal framework for eventual property transfer
● Pool house will be rebuilt for summer 2026 season
After Construction Period:
● GHES will sell Plat B to WGCSRA for $1
● WGCSRA must build a new year-round (heated) pool within 3 years
● If pool not built within 3 years, GHES can buy back the property
● GHES will lease the pool during off-season
● GHES retains right to use pool before summer opening (not applicable to 2026)
Financial Requirements
Total Projected Capital Costs:
● Pool House (Interior/Exterior): Approximately $830,000
● New Pool Construction: Estimated at $2-2.75 million
● Pool house facilities are necessary for operating the pool and must be complete before 2026 opening
● Davis Construction has permitted and planned the build-out of the building, including the pool house
2026 Season Opening:
● WGCSRA is proposing to split pool house construction costs and would cover
approximately $530,000 for the interior
● The existing pool requires maintenance but can be made operational
● Georgetown Aquatics will maintain and operate the pool through 2026
Funding Strategy:
● Total Capital Goal: $1,050,000
● Immediate fundraising goal: $250,000 by end of 2025 (community campaign)
● Member capital assessment: $800,000 target (estimated at approximately
$3,000-$5,000 per member unit, payable over 3 years)
● Two complementary fundraising initiatives: Community fundraising campaign and
member capital assessments
● Community fundraising: Broad-based campaign engaging the entire community to
support pool improvements
● Community fundraising and membership sign-ups will be crucial for securing business loans to finance the pool house build-out and to build reserves for a new pool
New Membership Structure:
● Membership fees will be adjusted to meet reserve and capital requirements
● Current rates do not allow the association to fulfill fiscal responsibilities
● A capital assessment per member unit will be established for 2026 and beyond
● Final pricing structure will be confirmed upon completion of lease terms with GHES
Long-Term Plan
Timeline:
● December 2025: Phase 1 construction begins (pool house)
● May 2026: Pool opens with new facilities for 2026 and 2027 seasons with existing pool
● Q4 2027: Phase 2 construction begins (new heated pool)
● May 2028: New pool opens for summer season
● Post-2028: Off-season rental revenue possible
Financial Sustainability:
● Approximately two successful operating years (2026-2027) needed to build adequate reserves for new pool loan, unless significantly more funding is secured through fundraising and state/local grants
● The new pool will be rented back to Georgetown Hill during off-season (post Labor Day to mid-May) to help cover year-round debt service payments
● A new pool must be viable for year-round use (heated) to make financial sense
● Lenders need to see an established membership base and consistent/predictable
revenues to cover expenses
● Once Plat B ownership is assumed, WGCSRA will have 3 years from that date to build out the new pool
Critical Needs
Immediate:
● Fundraising volunteers urgently needed to design and lead the community
fundraising effort
● Membership sign-ups crucial for securing business loans
● Target: $250,000 raised by end of 2025
● Preserving Woodley Waves Swim Team (essential for operations and at risk if reopening plan is not established)
Grant Opportunities:
● City of Rockville grants
● State of Maryland grants for non-profits
● Community volunteers needed to navigate application process
Board Composition
The seven-member board includes: Colby Schlekeway (President), Davida Farrar (Vice
President), Chris Mangiafico (Treasurer), Catharine Gray (Secretary), and members Dave Branick, Maury Donahue, and Brad Matanin.
Legal counsel (Miller, Miller, & Canby) has been retained.
Board Activity & Due Diligence
The board has conducted extensive research and meetings, including consultations with:
● Property owner Pete Cromwell and GHES management team
● Woodley Waves Swim Team and Woodley Gardens Civic Association
● Mayor Monique Ashton
● Multiple lenders (Sandy Spring, EagleBank, Bank of Clarke)
● Local private pools that have undergone renovations
● NVBLU (Pool Design/Construction Company)
Contact Information
● Website: woodleygardenspool.org
● Email: info@woodleygardenspool.org
● Donations accepted now at the website
● Join the mailing list to stay informed
The board emphasized that community support through fundraising, membership commitments, and volunteer efforts will be essential to preserving the pool for future generations. Community help is needed NOW to make the 2026 opening happen.
Don’t Widen 270, Janet Gallant Co-Coordinator, DontWiden270.org (submitted notes):
Update on Toll Lane Plans for the American Legion Bridge, I-495, and I-270
The big picture: The Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) is still actively
pursuing what is essentially the first part of Larry Hogan’s toll lane plan for the American
Legion Bridge and I-270 corridor. For now, MDOT has the lower I-270 segment very much on the back burner. That could change, though, if the state turns to a private, for-profit partner for funding.
Here’s what we know right now:
1. On August 1 of this year, the Moore administration submitted a federal grant
application for a toll lane project that would go from the George Washington
Memorial Parkway in Virginia, across the American Legion Bridge, to north of
Westlake Terrace on the I-270 West Spur. The grant application does not include
lower I-270. MDOT’s two previous requests for federal grants for this project were
turned down.
2. Last week, MDOT told our local oCicials that it had removed lower I-270 toll
lanes from the plan and added a study of transportation needs for upper I-270.
However, MDOT continues to include lower I-270 toll lanes in the National Capital
Area’s important long range transportation plan, though with a far-oW start date of
2045.
3. Maryland has no money for major highway projects. The newly proposed study of
upper I-270 has zero funding. And even if the Trump administration approves
MDOT’s current grant request, the state will have to come up with matching funds.
From where?
4. The only real funding possibility for the Moore-Hogan toll lane plan appears to
be a Public Private Partnership (a P3) with a for-profit toll lane giant like
Transurban. Transurban is the company responsible for Northern Virginia’s I-495
NEXT toll lanes, which Maryland’s proposed toll lanes would connect to.
5. If the Moore administration ultimately goes with P3-funded, for-profit toll lanes,
the results for Rockville, Montgomery County, and the Maryland public would
be bad. The business logic of for-profit toll lanes says new bottlenecks form where
private toll lanes end. The new bottlenecks “require” more toll lanes, which create
more bottlenecks and on and on. Rockville would inevitably be pulled in.
6. We need to stay vigilant. MDOT currently says no toll lanes in Rockville, but we
know that can change. Our communities and heroic local oWicials have spent
seven+ years opposing the possibility of private toll lanes, with their enormous
harms, unaWordable tolls, increased congestion in a reduced number of free lanes,
worsening highway safety, and so many more ills.
7. Public activism has made a big diCerence. MDOT says they removed the Rockville
segment of the toll lane plan in part because of the public’s powerful pushback.
Another example: Our broad advocacy coalition just succeeded in blocking Virginia
from building unwanted, for-profit toll lanes in Prince George’s County, Maryland.
Many of you wrote messages opposing that Southside project.
We can help protect our Rockville communities by staying informed and involved. If you haven’t already, please join our mailing list at DontWiden270.org.
West Rockville Connects, JW (based on submitted notes from Diane Fuchs):
- New Neighbor Welcome Kits
• 23 tote-bag welcome kits delivered to new College Gardens homeowners.
• Call for volunteers: Join the welcome committee—light lift, big impact.
• (Optional prompt: Did anyone here receive a kit and want to share a quick reaction?) - Little Free Libraries (3 locations)
• At Liliane Blom’s (Yale Pl. by the school), Scarborough Square, and Azalea Dr. in Regents Square.
• High usage and positive feedback; book donations running low.
• What to donate: Good-condition books for adults and kids (great holiday picks).
• You can place books directly if there’s room; I’ll also post a donation call on the Google Group.
• (Optional shout-out: Thank Julie Berg for including our libraries in October’s scavenger/treasure hunt; invite Julie/Ephi to recognize participants and winners.) - Doggie Halloween Parade (Welsh Park)
• Attendance doubled vs. last year—partner effort with five village orgs and 17 volunteers. - Village Growth & Next Phase
• Fastest-growing village in Rockville; now officially a 501(c)(3).
• Moving from setup to service planning (transportation, shopping, in-home help).
• We need your input: When you see my Google Group message, tell us what services you want for 2028–2030. - Radon Awareness Program (Save the Date)
• National Radon Action Month session: what radon is, health risks, easy testing, and mitigation resources.
• Wednesday, January 14, 10–11 a.m., Rockville Senior Center—free; will be recorded for those who can’t attend.
Garden Club of College Gardens – Community Giving Update, JW (based on submitted notes from Angela Tursi Silverman):
- Each year, the Garden Club contributes to Manna Food Center’s Thanksgiving Turkey Fund, which provides turkeys to families in need.
- Since 2017, the club has raised over $41,000 for this effort!
- This year’s collection so far: $2,145 toward the fund.
- Next month, the club will collect for the Holiday Giving Project supporting Community Reach of Montgomery County in Rockville — helping meet the needs of local families.
- New members are always welcome! It’s never too late to join and take part in our community service projects.
Rockville Senior Center – Gude Drive Entrance Project Summary, JW (based on notes submitted by Jim Reschovsky):
- Background (2023):
Mayor and Council funded planning for a new entrance from Gude Drive, responding to residents (mainly King Farm & Fallsgrove) seeking easier access. - Community Concerns:
- Some Woodley Gardens residents supported reducing Senior Center traffic through neighborhood streets.
- Others opposed a Gude entrance, fearing cut-through traffic.
- Citizen Involvement:
At Woodley Gardens Civic Association’s request, the City formed a Citizens’ Advisory Committee to work with Public Works and contractors on design. - Key Outcomes / Compromise Plan (Nov 2023):
- Address Change: Senior Center’s official address will shift to Gude Drive to encourage use of that entrance.
- Parking Access:
- Gude entrance: ~105 spaces
- Carnation Dr. entrance: ~35 spaces
- Internal Connection: A gate within the Senior Center property will connect the north and south parking lots. Senior Center members will be able to open the gate with their electronic ID cards. Both the north and south lots are open to any car that drives into them. The gate will be placed only between the lots in order to discourage cut-through traffic from Gude Drive into the Woodley Gardens neighborhood. Only registered seniors will be able to open the gate.
- Special Events: Gates can be opened by staff to ease parking congestion.
- Traffic Improvements: Gude–Piccard intersection to get a new left-turn lane for westbound traffic.
- Project Status & Timeline:
- 30% design plan: public meeting held Nov 2023
- 60% plan: reviewed Oct 14, 2025
- Final design: expected Spring 2026
- Procurement: Summer 2026
- Construction: Fiscal Year 2027
The meeting ended at 9:15 pm.